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Started By
Message
Remembering D-Day
Posted on 6/5/14 at 6:04 pm
Posted on 6/5/14 at 6:04 pm
I'm a day early but want to share my grandfatherly D-Day story. I remember talking and recording his thoughts. I asked if he was scared ... He said "no ... Perhaps a little nervous". This is from his obit about his experience and involvement on D-Day.
"During WWII, Mr. Adams was one of only 15 US Navy pilots awarded the distinct honor of flying with Britain’s Royal Air Force for the 1944 D-Day invasion of Normandy. While flying his British Spitfire, he encountered enemy fire and was forced to make an emergency landing on the beaches of Normandy during the invasion by Allied Forces. According to historical accounts of the day, he was the first American pilot to land during the invasion. Repairs were quickly made to his plane and, after refueling, he again took to the air to spot enemy targets and direct Allied weapons fire to those targets for destruction. He flew 13 sorties on D-Day. Flying once again for the US Navy, Mr. Adams also participated in the August, 1944 invasion of southern France. He received US Naval Air Medals for both campaigns. He was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the American Theatre and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbons with two stars......"
Tldr I know ... Tough.
"During WWII, Mr. Adams was one of only 15 US Navy pilots awarded the distinct honor of flying with Britain’s Royal Air Force for the 1944 D-Day invasion of Normandy. While flying his British Spitfire, he encountered enemy fire and was forced to make an emergency landing on the beaches of Normandy during the invasion by Allied Forces. According to historical accounts of the day, he was the first American pilot to land during the invasion. Repairs were quickly made to his plane and, after refueling, he again took to the air to spot enemy targets and direct Allied weapons fire to those targets for destruction. He flew 13 sorties on D-Day. Flying once again for the US Navy, Mr. Adams also participated in the August, 1944 invasion of southern France. He received US Naval Air Medals for both campaigns. He was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the American Theatre and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbons with two stars......"
Tldr I know ... Tough.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 6:05 pm to tiger91
There should be some awesome movies on this weekend.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 6:09 pm to WTIGER
This anniversary is going to be the last one with veterans in attendance in any real numbers.
My pop did Okinawa. Tough SOBs who did that.
My pop did Okinawa. Tough SOBs who did that.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 6:10 pm to tiger91
Pretty amazing he was able to land and take off in the middle of that shite storm. Respect
Posted on 6/5/14 at 6:14 pm to Seymour
I remember I'm saying he tilted the plane from side to side in hopes of letting the ground people know that he was friendly. It worked ...
I also remember him saying that the British people were "real nice ... They gave us tea and cookies".
I also remember him saying that the British people were "real nice ... They gave us tea and cookies".
This post was edited on 6/5/14 at 7:56 pm
Posted on 6/5/14 at 6:52 pm to soccerfüt
My dad did the Battle of the Bulge with Patton's 3rd Army.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 8:21 pm to tiger91
That's pretty impressive, 91. My Dad and his two brothers served during WWII, but none of them were a part of the invasion of Normandy. They were all fortunate enough to survive the war but, like so many other WWII vets, have since moved on to their Eternal Reward.
I remember Reagan's speech at Normandy on the 40th anniversary of D-Day as if it were yesterday. Hard to believe it was 30 years ago tomorrow and that Reagan died 10 years ago today.
Here is his speech at Normandy, June 6, 1984:
LINK
I remember Reagan's speech at Normandy on the 40th anniversary of D-Day as if it were yesterday. Hard to believe it was 30 years ago tomorrow and that Reagan died 10 years ago today.
Here is his speech at Normandy, June 6, 1984:
LINK
Posted on 6/5/14 at 9:02 pm to IonaTiger
Iona there surely aren't many remaining ... My grandfather died in 2010 but in 2006 was able to travel to DC on an Honor Air flight to see the WW2 memorial. Loved seeing it myself ... I was moved to tears.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 9:03 pm to tiger91
How to Celebrate the Anniversary of Normandy
This post was edited on 6/5/14 at 9:04 pm
Posted on 6/5/14 at 9:10 pm to tiger91
91, I am glad that your Grandfather got to see it. It is a remarkable Memorial.
I remember being a 16 year old kid on a high school senior trip to France. As I stood in the Cemetery at Normandy and walked the cliffs that those young men had to scale, I was moved to tears. The men of your Grandfather's and my Dad's generation were truly "The Greatest Generation". Without them, God only knows what this world would be today.
I remember being a 16 year old kid on a high school senior trip to France. As I stood in the Cemetery at Normandy and walked the cliffs that those young men had to scale, I was moved to tears. The men of your Grandfather's and my Dad's generation were truly "The Greatest Generation". Without them, God only knows what this world would be today.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 9:23 pm to IonaTiger
Idk if I could do that ... I'm entirely too emotional in general ... But it must be an awesome sight to see.
I'm sure you've read Tom Brokaws book The Greatest Generation ... A few tears were shed.
I'm sure you've read Tom Brokaws book The Greatest Generation ... A few tears were shed.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 9:28 pm to tiger91
It is awe inspiring.
I never read Brokaw's book, but I need to.
One of the most eerie experiences I had was leaving a movie theater in 1998 after seeing "Saving Private Ryan". As I was leaving I saw a group of men who had obviously served in WWII. They sat there staring at the then blank screen, several were in tears.
I never read Brokaw's book, but I need to.
One of the most eerie experiences I had was leaving a movie theater in 1998 after seeing "Saving Private Ryan". As I was leaving I saw a group of men who had obviously served in WWII. They sat there staring at the then blank screen, several were in tears.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 9:32 pm to tiger91
My grandfather was shot in the head during d-day! #fail He lived but could never hear out of that ear and was always a little weird IMO.
Posted on 6/5/14 at 9:40 pm to lsu480
He landed at Normandy and helped to liberate Europe. You spend a disproportionate amount of time posting on TD. Who is actually the weird one?
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